Ezekiel

King James Version (KJV)

Ezekiel 34:16

“I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.”

Ezekiel 34:16 Context

13And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. 15I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. 16I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.17And as for you, O my flock, thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he goats. 18Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet? 19And as for my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet; and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet.

Other Translations

I will seeke that which was lost, and bring againe that which was driuen away, and will bind vp that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sicke: but I will destroy the fat and the strong, I will feed them with iudgement.- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan

"I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the broken and strengthen the sick; but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with judgment.- New American Standard Version (1995)

I will seek that which was lost, and will bring back that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but the fat and the strong I will destroy; I will feed them in justice.- American Standard Version (1901)

I will go in search of that which had gone wandering from the way, and will get back that which had been sent in flight, and will put bands on that which was broken, and give strength to that which was ill: but the fat and the strong I will give up to destruction; I will give them for their food the punishment which is theirs by right.- Basic English Bible

I will seek the lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up the broken, and will strengthen that which was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong: I will feed them with judgment.- Darby Bible

I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment. - Webster's Bible

I will seek that which was lost, and will bring back that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but the fat and the strong I will destroy; I will feed them in justice.- World English Bible

The lost I seek, and the driven away bring back, And the broken I bind up, and the sick I strengthen, And the fat and the strong I destroy, I feed it with judgment.- Youngs Literal Bible

I will seek that which was lost, and will bring back that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick; and the fat and the strong I will destroy, I will feed them in justice.- Jewish Publication Society Bible

Bible commentary

Wesley's Notes for Ezekiel 34:16

Discussion for Ezekiel 34

I think there is sometimes too readily used the symbolism of things spoken of in the Bible; when it should better be understood by its intended meaning first. The Scriptures of the Prophets were primarily directed toward Israel; a real people, who really did the things written about them; and who are to this day really still like that! They are in the world among the Nation for a testimony to GOD.

Sisters in Christ; You are absolutely right with relating this to Pastors of Churches; but look closely also at whom exactly the LORD is speaking this; and remember the parable of the wicked husbandmen, who murdered the Heir and usurped control of the LORD's vineyard, the House of Israel; in whom you all have been grafted in through faith in Christ. This should open up your understanding to more.

While we easily see the use in describing a mutual relation between those to whom the Word is first directed, and their modern-day counterparts; it is in a spirit of error that men are willing to sacrifice (slaughter) what is morally right, for the advancement of their own base gain and for their Satanic need of being recognized by men as a "holy one" and a "very religious and influential" man.

I agree with Portia's comment. Pastor's today are not preaching the True Word of God to the Body of Christ except with few exceptions. There is mostly falsehood(error) that is leading the flock of God astray. All those called to Spiritual Authority hold the highest account before God and will have to give an account before Him.